Review: Zen Rooms x Knightsbridge Residence Staycation

Today I will share you my experience during my staycation at Knightsbridge Residence courtesy of ZEN Rooms Philippines. This team gifted me an overnight stay at one of the exclusive residences in the city, and of course as a huge fan of traveleisure lifestyle this is something that pleases me most.

So one weekend of July 2018 (was the start of the rainy season), I packed my overnighter bag and booked my car to Knightsbridge Residences. Located inside the Century City, it is one of the exclusive residences built and owned by Century Properties, inside the exclusive mini city. Its neighbour is the famous Trump Tower which I wrote a featured article for an international luxury magazine called Essential Macau, about 4-years ago.

Though I’ve been in-and-out of Knightsbridge Residence courtesy of my friends when I visit them, this is the first time that I actually stayed for an overnight and enjoy my alone-time.

I may say that this is one of the convenient place to reside. Just a few steps in the mall, and hospitals, clinics, and very accessible for cabs and public transport, also a few walks away to the entertainment district – no wonder many expats and business travellers. And some even says that they don’t feel they are in the Philippines when they stayed here – the building per se is far for having that Filipino-vibe.

Knightsbridge Residence is one of the many properties that ZEN Rooms handles. ZEN Rooms is one of the new hospitality chain that handles many hotels and condominium units available for guests for short term overnighter or even a long-term basis (weeks or months).

As one of the recent partner of ZEN Rooms, they gifted me an overnight stay here and to experience what Knightsbridge Residence has to offer.

The building per se had an impressive reception lounge area, and you wouldn’t think that his is only a condominium building. However, the reception area of ZEN Rooms is not in the ground floor with the main reception. The receptionist needs to phone the ZEN Rooms assistant and who have to wait a bit on the lounge area, where you will assisted by the ZEN Rooms staff.

After few minutes of waiting, I was assisted to my floor and assigned room. Ohh, btw if you are going to book your stay here through their ZEN Rooms app, make sure that you have an extra cash with you upon arrival, since they will ask for a deposit fee (Php3,000) for any incidental charges. I didn’t know that, and don’t have cash with me only my credit cards, so they skipped that deposit fee but asked for my valid ID as a deposit. I gave my other government issued ID and not my passport (coz my passport is more valuable!).

After giving me my set of keys and got his contact number in case I needed anything, I started to make myself comfortable inside my overnight place.

Dining / Living Area

It is a studio unit (approx. 36 sqm) with a kitchenette inside, a humble sofa set and a dining set. The room has air-conditioner and have this sliding glass door that separates the bedroom to the living room/dining area.

At the dining table shows the password to connect to its free wifi, there’s a fridge were you can stock your own bottled water and foods, etc., microwave and electric stove for your own consumption.

Inside their cupboards are some kitchen and dining utensils that you can use for free. However, since I am just staying for overnight, and I don’t cook – these amenities are not useful for me.

Bathroom Area

Since it is a studio unit, it only have this small bathroom with a separate glass-door for the hot-and-cold shower. This place is very straight-forward, no charm at all.

Bedroom Area

And here’s my humble bed – unlike in many hotels that I’ve been, this bed is good for single occupant only (IMHO) unless both of you are slim enough to fit to this bed. (My boyfriend wouldn’t fit here, he will hate this bed!). Though the bed is humble enough for my overnight, I didn’t expect it would be grand. It was thoughtful enough that they provided me towels and overnight kit for my consumption.

My overnight kit contains one toothbrush, two soaps, a mini notepad (but no pen?), and two shampoo/conditioner. I think they provide one overnight kit per person, and since they know I will stay alone, they only provided one kit.

I got my wifi access with a good speed, and a television set + cable channel! I was so thrilled that I can watch my favorite television channels again. Also have this spacious closet with many hangers. You may wonder what’s going on inside the closet – I found this duvet stored inside and folded untidy. I phoned the ZEN Rooms Staff and inquired if this duvet is dirty or clean, and says it is clean and I can use it.

Hhhmmmm.. I am very particular with beddings and sheets so I had hesitation on using it.

However, since it will be cold at night and I don’t sleep without duvet, I decided to use it after my further discussion with the ZEN Rooms staff.

So I took a note of what I’ve noted in my room, and I admit this give a minus points to ZEN Rooms.

My pillows and bed? Well it was humble enough to use overnight but not as fluffy and luxurious unlike those of some hotels I’ve stayed.

However, I decided to not think a lot about its flaws and just enjoy my time.

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Knightsbridge Residences has an impressive facilities inside the building that most residents could enjoy.

The Library

They have this gorgeous fully carpeted library area where you can enjoy reading your books and use their computer. They also have small collection of books, and lots of back issue magazines.

The Arcade Room

Next to the library is their impressive arcade/gaming area. You can play any video games available for free!

The Entertainment / Movie Room

And this is their entertainment room – quite better be called as a boy’s room (IMHO) because of its aesthetics and designs. They have billiard table, backgammon, chess boards, books, etc. and in the next room is their own movie room. All of these are free for use but needs an advance booking. I didn’t go inside the movie room, because someone is using it.

Other facilities they have are the gym, separate men and women’s locker rooms, spa, kids room, and swimming pool.

During my staycation, I still brought some of my work because it is my chance to write some articles having a good wifi access.

The following day, I went to the ground floor adjacent to the building for my breakfast. My stay includes free breakfast for two at Helping Hands Café, a popular café known for its strong social-responsibility mantra for hiring incapable and challenged staffs.

I like this humble café because it wasn’t crowded and the ambiance is so nice. The foods are also humble and good as well, and enjoyed my full breakfast while watching the show on their television.

After my hearty breakfast, I decided to spend my mornings at the pool!

I have a mixed emotion with this area. I mean I like that Knightsbridge Residence have the outdoor pool, and separating the kid’s pool to adult pool, however the water is still shallow in the adult pool (just up to my waist). It is spacious and open, but I can’t enjoy the morning sunshine here if I want to have my tan back. Also having the ongoing construction on both side of the building, this is not the best place to relax while hearing those mixed noise of steels, and others, including some occasional viewers (construction workers) of these two unfinished buildings.

Also includes the occasional pieces of cements that I’ve encountered while swimming, and those smokes and dusts coming from the construction – is you have allergies, you should stay away.

Verdict:

If you are looking for a place in Makati for a long term basis (a month or so) especially for business travellers, Knightsbridge Residence is ideal for you. I know some units here available for rent for about Php30 to 45,000 per month (all inclusive), and good for expats who wants to have an initial vibe of Makati before fully deciding if they will moved here or not. The Knightsbridge Staffs are very accommodating and polite, and got no issue with them.

You will also appreciate their strict security policies, for your own good as well.

Overall my stay in Knightsbridge Residence is quite good, even with few flaws I’ve encountered. But that’s just being me.

(map)

If you are not too OC (and spoiled) with any accommodation, I recommend that you try staying at Knightsbridge Residence. And having these facilities are already cheap for overnight stay.

download ZEN Rooms app now!

You can book your stay using ZENROOM App and use my exclusive discount code ZENBLAIRVto enjoy 20% off your total costs. And when you book your stay for 10-nights, you will receive 1-free night stay!

https://www.zenrooms.com/country/philippines

Watch my staycation vlog here!

Awesome right?!

Thank you for ZEN Rooms Philippines for spoiling me last July, and I did enjoyed it!

Aren’t staycations at a hotel the best? I’ve just tried it myself this summer. So are the Knightsbridge Residences owned ny individuals and managed by Zen? A central location is key and so it does sound great for an extended stay with the kitchen area. Isn’t it frustrating when there’s construction while you’re trying to relax? Still glad you enjoyed your night away!

We love staycations, no surprise as we live in London and there's so much to see, do and eat! I love the look of Zen Rooms living accommodation, this kind of spaciousness is what I look for when choosing a hotel or apartment for anything more than a couple of nights. Fun touch to have an entertainment room!

I've heard about ZEN rooms for quite some time now but I've never read any review about it before. This room looks good enough for a staycation. I love the fact that they have an arcade area and also a library. Thank you for sharing this!

It looks like you had a relaxing staycation at Zen Rooms! It's an interesting concept, as it's more aparthotel I guess. I'm exactly the same with some beddings, I never know whether to trust it or not!

I've been to Knightsbridge but only booked through Airbnb. Didn't know that Zen rooms are available in this building too. I'm also particular with beddings and what they have looks plain ? perhaps it's good for a short stay :) Thanks for the review.

I can see why this place could be great for an expat or someone who is looking for a short term accommodation but doesn't want a hotel. Shame though that they don't pay a lot of attention to details, like that duvet for example.

It's refreshing to read an honest review. :) Looks ok, though like you I'd prefer a bigger bed especially if it's meant for two and hopefully softer/fluffier than the ones they have here. Hope they can improve on the points you mentioned!

I really appreciate how straightforward your review is. It's nice to be provided with a complimentary overnight stay, but they definitely have a few kinks that need to be worked out. I, too, would be giving side eye to the duvet but would ultimately use it if I was cold. :)

I have been to Knightsbridge, including the activity areas pictured in this post. It's a really nice, cozy place. As for Zen Rooms, it's such a novel concept in hospitality. We can try different properties at a rate that is more attractive.

I love the honesty in this review. I can totally relate when you mentioned about bringing your work. I often bring products to be blogged during staycations. I think that's the best time to have photoshoots!

DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any partner brands/company(s), beauty & lifestyle brands, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities, unless specified.